Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain’s Post

In the spotlight this week, Immigration Minister Andrew Giles faced questions from the Opposition over the Government’s handling of migration cases whereby convicted criminals were allowed to remain in Australia. In the world of foreign affairs, the Federal Government signed an agreement with the European Union to cooperate on strengthening critical minerals supply chains and China has lifted its trade suspension on five Australian meat processing facilities. In finance, inflation rose to 3.6 per cent in the 12 months to April 2024. To stay up to date on the latest political developments across the nation, subscribe to our free publication: bit.ly/GRACsignup #AusPol #Politics #PublicAffairs #WeeklyWrapUp #FinanceUpdate #MigrationPolicy #ForeignAffairs #Trade #Economy #Inflation #AustraliaNews #CriticalMinerals #FinanceUpdates #GovernmentNews

Labour is focused on rebuilding #EU relations, the Lib Dems want to rejoin the #singlemarket and the Tories want to press ahead with work so far Here's what the three main parties represent for #internationaltrade

Continuing the Brexit Conversation: Implementation in Northern Ireland 🇬🇧🇮🇪 Following up on my previous article about the broader effects of Brexit on Northern Ireland, I'm pleased to share my latest piece on North West Bylines. In this continuation, I explore the practical challenges and developments in implementing Brexit in the region. The article delves into the real-world implications for businesses, border controls, and the everyday lives of people in Northern Ireland. #Brexit #NorthernIreland #Implementation #Politics #Trade #UK #EU

Freedom, fairness, and protection – for all, in the EU. Our laws deliver benefits for citizens and businesses, including:  🛫️ Protecting rights and freedoms by guaranteeing that travellers receive refunds within 14 days after cancelled holidays.  ⚖️ Upholding fairness by prohibiting discrimination based on sex, ethnic origin, belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation.  💸 Strengthening the economy by ensuring public authorities pay their suppliers within 30 days, promoting timely financial transactions.  🌲 Protecting Europeans from pollution and noise, which is crucial for building a sustainable Europe, where the environment is respected.  👥 Promoting equal opportunities by treating economic operators fairly and equally in procurement procedures, fostering a level playing field.    As guardian of the Treaties, ensuring the effective implementation and application of EU law is our top priority. Check out the 2023 Annual Report on the application of EU law to learn more → https://lnkd.in/ejXgbMtb #EuropeanUnion

Freedom, fairness, and protection – for all, in the EU. Our laws deliver benefits for citizens and businesses, including:  🛫️ Protecting rights and freedoms by guaranteeing that travellers receive refunds within 14 days after cancelled holidays.  ⚖️ Upholding fairness by prohibiting discrimination based on sex, ethnic origin, belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation.  💸 Strengthening the economy by ensuring public authorities pay their suppliers within 30 days, promoting timely financial transactions.  🌲 Protecting Europeans from pollution and noise, which is crucial for building a sustainable Europe, where the environment is respected.  👥 Promoting equal opportunities by treating economic operators fairly and equally in procurement procedures, fostering a level playing field.    As guardian of the Treaties, ensuring the effective implementation and application of EU law is our top priority. Check out the 2023 Annual Report on the application of EU law to learn more → https://lnkd.in/ejXgbMtb #EuropeanUnion

🎤 Reclaiming Sovereignty or Courting Isolation? The Complexities of Britain's Brexit Decision: The question of whether Britain was right to pursue Brexit is complex and deeply nuanced, intertwining economic, political, and social dimensions. Proponents argue that Brexit was an exercise in reclaiming sovereignty, allowing the United Kingdom to regain control over its laws, borders, and trade policies. They contend that, free from the regulations and directives of the European Union, Britain could tailor its immigration policies to better suit its own needs, potentially leading to a more managed and selective immigration system. This autonomy extends to trade as well; leaving the EU allows the UK to negotiate its own trade deals with countries worldwide, potentially fostering stronger economic relationships and opening new markets for British goods and services. Moreover, the financial contribution to the EU budget was a point of contention, with Leave advocates suggesting that the funds could be better spent domestically, improving services like the NHS. On the other hand, critics argue that Brexit has led to significant economic challenges, including disruptions in trade, as the UK lost frictionless access to its largest trading partner, the EU. This has been particularly impactful on industries reliant on complex supply chains and just-in-time logistics, where new customs checks and regulatory barriers have introduced delays and costs. The services sector, including financial services—a key part of the British economy—has also faced uncertainties and restrictions, potentially leading to job losses and a reduction in economic growth. The political landscape has been strained, with Brexit deepening regional divisions within the UK, particularly in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where support for remaining in the EU was strong. Northern Ireland's unique position, sharing a border with EU member Ireland, has brought additional complications, particularly regarding the Good Friday Agreement and the delicate peace it maintains. Socially, Brexit has been polarizing, exacerbating cultural and generational divides, and leading to a rise in nationalism and xenophobia in some quarters, as the rhetoric around "taking back control" has sometimes translated into anti-immigrant sentiments. The decision to leave the EU has also redefined Britain's role on the global stage. Some argue that it diminishes the UK's influence, as it can no longer shape EU policies from within or benefit from collective diplomatic and economic clout. Others believe it offers a chance for Britain to reassert itself as a global player, untethered from what they see as the EU's bureaucratic constraints. The long-term effects of Brexit will unfold over years, if not decades, and it remains a contentious issue with passionate arguments on both sides.

#SUERFpolicybrief “Impacts of the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism" by Javier Flórez Mendoza, Oliver Reiter, and Robert Stehrer (The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw)) We summarise the results of our study employing a #quantitativetrademodel to assess the implications of the EU #carbonborder adjustment mechanism (CBAM) on #trade flows, welfare, real wages and CO2 emissions. Specifically, the general equilibrium effects of the introduction of a #tariff on carbon-intensive products on European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members and non-members are assessed. For the EU, we find an increase in the terms of trade and consequently small positive welfare effects, whereas there are tiny negative effects on real wages. Non-EU countries face a decline in the terms of trade and a small welfare loss as well as marginally declining real wages. Global CO2 emissions are marginally reduced, although they minimally increase in the EU due to specialisation effects. 📄https://lnkd.in/dNBA_8TU

By creating our messages based on solid evidence, data-driven #communication ensures they are not only impactful but also credible, relevant, and effective.

Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign manifesto, often referred to as *Agenda 47*, outlines ambitious policies across various areas, from immigration to trade, foreign relations, healthcare, and economic reform. Here’s a breakdown of some of his major promises, along with the potential upsides and challenges: ### Key Promises in Trump’s Agenda 1. **Economy & Trade**: Trump has proposed significant tariffs on foreign goods, especially from China, to encourage American manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports. He suggests a 10-20% tariff on all imported goods and up to 60% on Chinese imports. Additionally, he plans to ban U.S.-China investments and push for a four-year phase-out of Chinese imports. - **Pros**: This could strengthen domestic industries and reduce trade deficits. - **Cons**: Higher tariffs might raise prices for consumers, potentially straining households and creating tension with trade partners who might retaliate. 2. **Immigration**: Trump promises to significantly restrict immigration by reinstating border wall construction, increasing deportations, and limiting asylum applications. He also wants to end welfare benefits for undocumented immigrants. - **Pros**: Supporters argue these measures could reduce illegal immigration and redirect resources to American citizens. - **Cons**: Critics caution that mass deportations could disrupt industries dependent on immigrant labor and face legal hurdles. 3. **Foreign Policy**: Trump intends to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict, suggesting that he could broker peace with Russia. He has also proposed a firmer stance on Middle Eastern policies, aligning more closely with Israeli interests and pressuring Iran through sanctions. - **Pros**: Ending international conflicts would save resources and possibly strengthen the U.S.’s global position. - **Cons**: Skeptics question the feasibility of these goals, given the complex international dynamics, especially with limited support from allies. 4. **Healthcare & Social Security**: Trump has spoken about eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits and considering anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for a major health role. This stance includes challenging established health agencies and encouraging alternative medicines. - **Pros**: Lower taxes on Social Security could relieve financial pressure on seniors. - **Cons**: Some health experts worry that Kennedy's anti-vaccine views might undermine public health efforts. ### Overall Viability While Trump’s manifesto appeals to a segment of the electorate that favors strong national policies, the practicality of his promises varies widely. Many of his economic and immigration plans would require Congressional approval or face strong political resistance, making implementation challenging. Foreign policy promises, especially ending the Ukraine conflict, might be overly optimistic given the complexities involved.

A new report from #NewDelhi-based think tank Center for Science and Environment (CSE) said that the developing countries might consider imposing carbon tax and other measures to tackle the issue of European Union’s (EU) Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Avantika Goswami #ClimateChange